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Cougars look to slow McCarthy, gain first win

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ANDREW KRECH/Staff Photographer Scranton running back Jake McCarthy stretches through a tackle for a touchdown against Dallas on Saturday at Misericordia University.

When you’re facing the Scranton High School football Knights these days, the game plan is pretty simple. Slow down Jake McCarthy...and you have a shot.

While the former is not the easiest of things, the last four teams to play Scranton have done enough to slow down McCarthy, and just enough to beat the Knights.

Hazleton Area is looking to take that very approach this evening when the Cougars (0-1) invade Scranton Memorial Stadium for a non-league showdown between District 2 Class 4A teams.

A three-year starter and four-year letterman, McCarthy entered his senior season with 4,352 career yards and more than 50 touchdowns.

He opened his final campaign with 272 yards rushing and three touchdowns, along with a 30-yard touchdown catch for a fourth score last Saturday. But even McCarthy’s heroics weren’t enough, as Scranton was upset by Dallas 32-24.

McCarthy has run for a combined 642 yards in Scranton’s last four games dating back to last season, but the Knights lost all four to Abington Heights (28-21), East Stroudsburg South (49-0), Wyoming Valley West (56-28) and last week to Dallas.

“McCarthy’s a difference maker,” stated Hazleton Area first-year coach Mike Brennan. “He’s going to get his touches, his yards and his scores. If you can limit what he does, that’s the key. He can change a game anytime, anywhere.”

A year ago at Harman-Geist Memorial Field, the 6-2, 195-pound McCarthy enjoyed a huge opening day at the expense of the Cougars. He rushed for 237 yards and three touchdowns and helped the Knights build a 32-7 cushion. Although the Cougars scored 22 unanswered points to rally to within three, Scranton pulled away late and escaped the Mountain City with a 45-29 triumph.

“They love to pound you with the running game,” Brennan said. “We have to be patient, pursue the proper way and try to get (McCarthy) on the ground. That’s going to be a challenge for our defense.”

Brennan knows the Knights have more than just McCarthy on offense. They have a two-headed quarterback in Scott Gorton and Anthony Tooson, a pair of fine receivers in John Marichak and Ramon Fields, and a powerful fullback in Charlie Pabst, who missed all of last season with an elbow injury. Tight end Dylan Granahan (6-4) and center Brett Engleman are also players to watch on offense.

“They’re a good solid football team, and at any time any of these other kids can beat you,” Brennan said.

“They have two quarterbacks and they use both a little different. Gorton is intelligent and athletic, and they use him on perimeter throws. The second quarterback (Tooson) runs well and they like to run the bootleg with him.

“They have a couple good receivers, they like to stretch the field on you, they have good size at the tackles, and they play the perimeter well on defense,” Brennan added.

Marichak and Pabst are both a handful at linebacker, and Jordan O’Hearn is a standout at defensive end for the Knights.

After struggling to gain just 86 yards of total offense in a 40-7 Week 1 loss to Coughlin, Brennan knows his Cougars must do a lot more in order to keep up with Scranton’s offensive machine.

That means keeping star running back Zach Zukoski on the field. Zukoski rushed for more than 1,000 yards last year, but was slowed in the opener with a leg injury suffered in a preseason scrimmage with Stroudsburg. He was limited to 37 yards on 12 carries against Coughlin. He also saw a lot of time at linebacker.

“Zach’s had a good week and he was moving well,” Brennan said. “We may use him a little bit differently this week to keep him fresh. We need a healthy Zach Zukoski on the field if we’re going to move the ball on offense.”

They’ll also look stay healthy at quarterback. Starter Ryan Heller was banged up in the opener and missed the second half with an injured shoulder. Sophomore Hunter VanBlargan played well in his absence, and would be called upon again this evening should Heller be unable to go.

Joey Bayzick was the offensive star for the Cougars on opening night, catching four passes for 42 yards, including an 18-yard touchdown from VanBlargan in the final minute of the game.

The Cougar defense came up with four fumble recoveries against Coughlin, but the offense was only able to cash in one time for a touchdown.

“Dallas wore them down, they played with a lot of energy. That’s what we’re going to have to do,” said Brennan, who is looking for his first victory at Hazleton Area. “We have to play good defense and improve significantly on offense from last week.

“We had a good week of practice, and sharp days on Tuesday and Thursday. Hopefully we can carry that into the game (Friday) night.”

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